Green Noodles with Garlic

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Bring a kettle three fourths full with salted water to a boil and cook linguine until al dente. While pasta is cooking, force garlic through a garlic press into a 10- to 12-inch skillet and add oil. Cook garlic over moderately low heat, stirring, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Chop cilantro sprigs.

   Step 2

   Ladle out and reserve about 1/4 cup pasta cooking water. Drain linguine in a colander and add to garlic mixture. Cook mixture over moderate heat, tossing pasta until coated well with oil and garlic, about 1 minute (if pasta appears dry, add reserved pasta cooking water, 1 tablespoon at a time). Add Parmesan and toss linguine until cheese begins to melt. Remove skillet from heat and toss linguine with cilantro and salt and pepper to taste.